Canada says it is deeply concerned about the deteriorating economic situation and civil unrest in Sri Lanka.

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly said that it is essential that the right to peaceful protest be respected.

“We stand in solidarity with the peoples of the island during these difficult times,” she tweeted.

Multiple countries, including Canada, have issued travel warnings for Sri Lanka as a result of ongoing protests.

Canada noted that on April 1, 2022, the President declared a nationwide state of emergency following protests in Colombo. 

The state of emergency will give local authorities the power to arrest individuals without a warrant. Further protests are planned in Colombo and across the country in the coming days. Curfews may be imposed on short notice, particularly in Colombo.

Canadians have been told  to expect a heightened security presence, monitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situation, avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place and follow the instructions of local authorities.

India will continue to assist Sri Lanka that is in the midst of its worst economic crisis to recover from the difficulties in line with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the Indian government said on Thursday.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Sri Lanka is a neighbour and close friend and the Indian government is closely watching the developments in the island nation.
While India in January facilitated a $400 million currency swap with Sri Lanka and deferred $500 million that was due for settlement to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU), it could also increase foreign direct investment and ODA to Sri Lanka.
 After China, India is a major FDI contributor in Sri Lanka, investing $1.7 billion from 2005 to 2019 in the areas of oil and gas, tourism, real estate, and financial services.
According to the High Commission of India, the government has committed $2.6 billion to Sri Lanka, of which $436 million came in the form of grant assistance and $2.17 billion as lines of credit.  
Indian assistance has been focused on capacity-building, human resources development, and infrastructure development. Additional ODA could be viewed in the context of near-term humanitarian assistance, agricultural development, and financial management.
There have been evolving economic situations as well as other developments in Sri Lanka. In order to help mitigate the economic situation, we have extended assistance worth $ 2.5 billion in the past two to three months which includes credit facilities for fuel and food,” Bagchi said, while replying to a question regarding current developments in Sri Lanka.
Referring to India’s overall ties with Sri Lanka, he said the relationship is rooted in shared civilisational values and aspirations of the two peoples.  
“Our cooperation, based on commonality and interests, has been strengthened in recent months. We see the recent developments in this perspective and stand ready to continue working with Sri Lanka for rapid post-Covid economic recovery in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy,” Bagchi said.
“As a neighbour and close friend, India has been keenly following the evolving economic situation and other developments in Sri Lanka,” he added.
Sri Lanka is witnessing massive protests over its worsening economic situation, being said to be the worst in decades. People have taken to the streets to protest over the shortage of fuel and other essentials.  
Amid growing public outrage, many cabinet ministers quit the government a few days ago and left Gotabaya Rajapaksa-led government in minority. He has, however, rejected demands for his resignation.
The crisis has stretched the ability of policymakers to pay for essential public services as the treasuries have been drained. Coupled with a severe shortage of foreign currency, vital to the payment of tremendous amounts of Chinese-funded debt, the government had little choice  but to ban critical imports leaving many with a shortage of everyday essential items.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that attention has been focused on the revision of the U.S. Travel Advisory on Sri Lanka as at 6 April 2022.

The Ministry recalls that since June 2021, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Travel Advisory for Sri Lanka has remained at Level 3, and as such has not been newly introduced in the latest revision. In addition, the language related to ‘terrorism’ was introduced following the Easter Sunday attacks and has stayed consistent since April 2019. It is understood that the reference to terrorism in the U.S. Travel Advisory is based on standard language included in U.S. Travel Advisories around the world where a risk of terrorism exists or has existed, and as such is not specific to Sri Lanka. The Ministry also understands that currently a U.S. Travel Advisory at Level 4 is applicable to many countries, whereas Sri Lanka is at Level 3.

The tourism industry in Sri Lanka is gradually emerging from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and as at 29 March 2022, tourist arrivals to the country stood at 280,026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to reiterate that the country remains safe and open for tourists. Sri Lanka continues to welcome travellers to the country and remains committed to provide all visitors with the utmost care and service. The recent peaceful protests have not targeted tourists or tourist destinations. All visitors to the country may travel freely throughout the country and all tourist destinations remain open. It is noteworthy that CNN’s “where to travel in 2022” had featured Colombo in their travel list.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

08 April, 2022

The public protest demanding the stepping down of the President and the Government continues as of this moment in Colombo despite the occasional showers.

Attended by a massive crowd, the anti-government protest is being held in a peaceful manner and is expected to continue tomorrow.

MIAP

Anti-government protestors have gathered in large numbers outside the Presidential Secretariat Colombo despite heavy security in the premises.

These demonstrators demanding the stepping down of the President and the government.

MIAP

Anti-government protesters from many parts of the country are swarming throughout the Galle Face Green in astronomical numbers demanding the stepping down of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government since this (09) morning. The protest is expected to last 48 hours straight unless intercepted first.

These demonstrators are demanding that the President and the Government shall be stepping down from their positions immediately. The protest is endorsed by people of all social statuses including but not limited to artists, trade union leaders, people of professions, and the youth community.

MIAP

Protesters from many parts of the country are swarming in thousands at Galle Face, Colombo demanding the stepping down of President Rajapaska and the Government.

Some demonstrators are joining on protests on both sides of the road near the Shangri-La Hotel.

These demonstrators are swarming throughout the Galle Face ground since around 8 am this morning and are expected to grow by the evening.

MIAP

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith the Archbishop of Colombo joining a protest held in Negombo this (09) morning told media that every citizen should be encouraged to demonstrate their objection to remove the corrupt regime of the country.

“This situation cannot be allowed to continue. We urge every citizen of this country to unite to change this system. Let us get together and tell them to go now, enough with the destruction. Go now. Hand it over to someone who can rule. May everyone have the courage to continue this struggle throughout Sri Lanka and take to the streets to eradicate this corrupt system,” the Cardinal said.

MIAP